Packet dispenser



June 30, 1970 s. K. CARLISLE, JR., ETAL 3,517,577

PACKET DISPENSER Filed NOV. 29, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jam/L945.

June 30, 1970 S. K. CARLISLE, JR., AL

PACKET DISPENSER 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 29, 1967 was June 30, 1970 s, CARLISLE, JYRH ETAL 3,517,577

PACKET DISPENSER Filed Nov. 29, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 30, 1970 s K, C JR ETAL 3,517,577

PACKET DISPENSER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 29, 1967 j! 24 u! I? 1/ Z 141/7! "2?; '7 10A I mwr/ June 30, 1970 s. K. CARLISLE, JR., ETAL 3,517,577

' PACKET DISPENSER Filed Nov. 29, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 llll lll

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June 1970 s. K. CARLISLE, JR, ETAL PACKET DISPENSER 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 29, 1967 5%???6 )7 2072: 21 ,fl- 7 I My 2% United States Patent Olhce 3,517,577 Patented June 30, 1970 3,517,577 PACKET DISPENSER Sanford K. Carlisle, Jr., Andover, Mass., and George F, Gordon, Nashua, N.H., assignors to Diamond Crystal Salt Company, a corporation of Michigan Filed Nov. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 686,487 Int. Cl. B26d 5/20 U.S. Cl. 83-23 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispenser for automatically dispensing one or a plurality of packets supplied in the form of a continuous ribbon by which the ribbon is intermittently severed at preselected intervals into an individual or a group of interconnected packets which are retained in a ready position from which they are ejected in response to receipt of a signal evidencing a dispensing condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An ever increasing impetus is being placed on the distribution and merchandising of related components by placing them in an individual container or kit for consumer use. An example of this situation is in the nutritional field in which prepackaged kits are finding increasing use for dispensing an individual disposable serving of such items as salt, pepper, napkins, utensils and the like. This practice has provided particular advantages in hospitals for dispensing special diets to patients, avoiding thereby the difficult and time-consuming work and detailed attention required by institutional personnel in carrying out dietary programs to assure that each such patient receives the prescribed seasonings and/or substitutes, as well as the prescribed special diet supplements. By the adoption of special prepackaged kits, which are appropriately coded to conform with a specified diet, it is now possible to place on a patients tray,v a prepackaged kit containing the desired combination of seasonings, condiments, substitutes and special diet supplements, as well as supplementary material, such as napkins, straws, utensils, providing therewith an individual serving within a sanitary self-contained kit, which increases the reliability and substantially reduces the labor and attention necessary on the part of institutional personnel in diet kitchens. Similar advantages are also obtained in drive-in and socalled take-out restaurants by providing to customers kits containing the requisite combination of prepackaged materials for individual use with the food order.

The marked advantages both from a sanitary standpoint and from the increased efliciency in dispensing materials in kit form have been somewhat offset by the manufacturing difficulties encountered in the prepackaging of the kits themselves. conventionally, the placement of the individual items in each kit necessitates a substantial amount of manual labor, which somewhat detracts from the economy of the operation and which also renders the operation susceptible to an inadvertent omission of one or more of the kit items due to human error.

The foregoing disadvantages are overcome in accordance with the present invention in which a novel dispenser apparatus is provided which is applicable for automatically dispensing individual items or packets into suitable trays or receptacles moving along a conveyor, thereby assuring that each tray or receptacle receives the requisite type and quantity of items in conformance with the specific kit to be asembled. The present invention is also applicable for vending individual packets supplied in the form of a continuous ribbon in response to a dispensing impulse, such as by deposit of a coin or by pressing a button-type switch, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing advantages and benefits of the present invention are achieved by a dispensing apparatus which consists of a frame on which a web or ribbon of indefinite length of interconnected packets is supported and which ribbon is guided and is advanced through a preselected increment corresponding substantially to the width or length of the packet or series of interconnected packets to be dispensed. The apparatus includes severing means for cutting the web or ribbon at a preselected distance from the end thereof, thereby forming an individual packet or strip of interconnected packets which is advanced into engagement with a retaining device for holding the severed packet in a dispensing or ready position preparatory to ejection. Suitable sensing means are provided which serve to trigger the dispensing apparatus to effect an ejection of tory to the next dispensing operation.

Further advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the back end of the dispensing apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispenser apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and with one of the reels thereon positioned in a load-unload position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, of a dispenser apparatus constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of .a typical continuous ribbon or web of packets which are adapted for automatic dispensing by the apparatus as shown in FIGS. 13;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the dispenser head;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the dispenser head shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the drive apparatus of the dispenser. head;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the opposite side of the dispenser head and guide rollers thereon;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a continuous ribbon of alternative satisfactory type packets that can be dispensed;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the dispenser head modified to accommodate the dispensing of packets of the type illustrated in FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the dispenser head illustrating a modification of the indexing clutch to accommodate packets of the type illustrated in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawings and as may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic dispenser apparatus comprising the present invention comprises a frame including a base 20, which preferably is mounted on rollers 22 to facilitate transport and positioning of the a 3 apparatus at an appropriate moving conveyor 24. The base preferably is provided with suitable floor jacks 23, as best seen in FIG. 2, for preventing inadvertent-movement of the ,apparatus after it has been placed in an approprite dispensing position. A pair of spaced side panels 26 are mounted on the base 20, to the forward edges of which a front panel 28 is secured having an angle shaped member 30 aflixed to the upper end portion thereof. The angle shaped member 30' is preferably secured by bolts 32 in vertical and horizontal elongated slots 34 to provide some latitude for the vertical and lateral positioning of a dispens'erhead 36 securely aflixed thereon.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower edge of the dispenser head 36 is positioned immediately above the horizontally moving conveyor 24 which may be of any of the types well known in the art. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the conveyor comprises a continuously moving belt 38 having longitudinally-spaced pushers or separators 40 at preselected intervals therealong defining a series of segregated cavities or trays, into which a series of preselected items are added during the course of the travel of the conveyor along a series of feed stations to assemble a kit incorporating the requisite number of constituents. A suitable sensing device such as, for example, a micro switch 42, as shown in FIG. 1, is positioned adjacent to the conveyor and is adapted to be actuated by the separators 40, which signals the dispensing apparatus that a compartment is in appropriate position beneath the dispenser head for the dispensing of a packet therein.

A pair of angularly pivotable arms 44 are pivotally mounted on suitable pivot pins 46 projecting from the sides of the side panels 26 and are disposed in spaced substantially parallel relationship. A hexagonally-shaped hub 48 is rotatably mounted adjacent to the end portion of each arm in opposed relationship which are adapted to slidably receive and rotatably engage a correspondingly-shaped aperture 50 extending axially through a flanged reel 52. The hub 48 may include a suitable engaging finger thereon to releasably interlock the reel thereon. The reel 52 is formed with a circular core 54, around which a web or ribbon 56 of indefinite length containing a plurality of interconnected packets is wound. In the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ribbon 56 is in the form as illustrated in FIG. 4 comprising a continuous strip of two laminated sheets defining a series of flutes 58 which are filled with a suitable material to be dispensed, such as salt or pepper, for example, and which flutes are disposed at regular intervals separated by an intervening flat web section 60, along which the ribbon 56 is adapted to be severed, forming individual packets or, alternatively, groups of interconnected packets, as may be desired. The term packet, as herein employed, is intended to encompass single as well as a multiple of individual interconnected or severed packets.

The arm 44 and the flanged reel 52 thereon is movable to and from an active or operative position in which the arm is in a substantially upright position as shown in FIG. 2 to an inoperative or loading position in which the arm is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. When in the operative position, as shown in FIGS. land 2, the ribbon 56 is adapted to extend from the reel in a substantially horizontal direction and around the underside of a guide spool 62 rotatably mounted on the front panel of the dispenser framework. The continuous ribbon thereafter extends upwardly and is disposed in guided relation ship in one of a pair of helixed or arcuate guide chutes 64 mounted on the dispenser head.

Movement of the reel and supporting arm to an unload position facilitates the removal of an empty reel and .the replacement thereof witha full reel without disturbing the continued operation of the dispenser apparatus. In order to reduce the effort required in moving the arm and reel thereon between the positions, the lower portion of the arm is preferably counterweighted and other suitstation along a horizontally ablespring assists can be employed if desired. When in the load position, as best seen in FIG. 2, the periphery of the reel to be unloaded is disposed in axial clearance relationship with respect to the periphery of the reel in the operative position enabling axial sliding movement of the reel along the hexagonal hub 48, andthereafter replacement with a full reel. It' will be further noted that the periphery of the reel disposed in the load position is adjacent tothe floor or platform on which the dispenser apparatus is supported, enabling replacement reels to be readily. rolled to a position for engagement on the hexagonal hub. After loading of a full reel, the arm can readily be swung back to the operative position and the ribbon thereon extended beneath the other of the spools 62, and thereafter fed upwardly into the other of the guide chutes 64 preparatory to an automatic reel changeover in accordance with the mechanism subsequently to be described. Suitable disengageable latching means can be provided, if desired, for retaining the arms in the operative or loading position to prevent inadvertent swinging movement thereof from that position.

In order to avoid an overrun of a reel due to inertia when that reel is supplying the continuous ribbon to the dispensing head, it is preferred that a suitable retarding device, such as a brake, be placed on the shaft supporting the reel, imposing a slight degree of retarding torque thereto. In this manner, an undesirable surplus of continuous ribbon between the reel and guide spool is avoided, insuring continuous guidance of the ribbon to the discharge chute of the dispenser head. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the retarding mechanism comprises a drum 66, which is formed around the outer race of the support bearing for the hexagonal hub and around which a suitable strip of frictional material, such as a leather band 68, is disposed in sliding bearing contact thereon. The leather brakeband 68, as best seen in FIG. 1, is connected at one end to a tension spring 70 and at the other end to a turnbuckle 72 to provide for an adjustment of the tension of the leather band and correspondingly the braking action applied thereby.

The feed arrangement, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a preselected braking is applied to the feed reel to prevent an over-running thereof, is satisfactory for feeding continuous ribbons which are of adequate physical configuration and tensile strength to withstand the tension applied thereto by the dispenser head of the dispenser apparatus. In instances wherein continuous ribbons are employed which are either of inadequate tensile strength or are of a configuration rendering them less suitable for tensioning as occasioned during the unwinding of the reel, it is preferred to employ an arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dispensing apparatus is essentially identical to that as shown in FIG. 2 with the exception that the brake system is omitted from the end of the feed arms and is replaced with a prefeed motor 74 of a relatively low horsepower capacity but adequate of slack in turn is reflected by the angularity of the lever arm which'is operative to actuate a micro switch 80, which in turn is incorporated in the electrical circuit for supplying current to the pro-feed motor. As shown in FIG. 3, when the slack in the ribbon is reduced such that '3 the ribbon approximates a substantially horizontal position as shown in phantom, the micro switch is energized, which in turn effects energization of the pre-feed motor and a rotation of the reel so as to restore a slack position, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3. Intermittent energization and de-energization of the pre-feed motor, accordingly, avoids the imposition of any undue tensile stresses on the continuous ribbon.

Regardless of the specific manner by which the continuous ribbon or web is fed, the dispenser head 36 is operative for intermittently advancing the web, severing the end portion thereof into an individual packet or multiple of individual interconnected packets, retaining the severed packet or group of packets in a dispensing position, and thereafter ejecting the packet in the dispensing position, upon receipt of a signal that the packet is to be dispensed. It will be appreciated that the manner of feeding the continuous web in the form of a reel is not intended to exclude other forms of storing a substantially continuous web of the material and in which form it is available for feeding into the dispenser head. For example, thecontinuous web or ribbon can be stored in a serpentine form in a suitable receptacle or magazine from which it can be withdrawn by the dispenser head. Alternatively, the continuous ribbon can be fed directly from the apparatus in which the ribbon is formed, filled and thereafter sealed. in accordance with the preferred practice of the present invention, the ribbon is stored in reels, providing added convenience and flexibility in the manufacture of the continuous web, as well as in the versatilityof dispensing the continuous web in the form of individual packets. I

The dispenser head is comprised of a three-dimension housing, of which the outer panels thereof have been intentionally omitted from FIGS. -8 for the purposes of exposing the operative components contained therein. The source of power for the dispenser head mechanism comprises a variable speed direct current motor 82 which is supported within the housing, as seen best in FIGS. 5-7, between partition 84 and end panel 86. It will be understood that the dispenser head can also be drivingly coupled to the conveyor 24 or conveyor drive mechanism by suitable timing belts, gears, etc., whereby the dispensing mechanism is driven in mechanical synchronization with the conveyor. In the embodiment shown, a drive pulley 88 is afiixed to the output shaft 90 of the drive motor 82, around which a belt 91 is trained, as best seen in FIG. 2, which in turn is trained around a driven pulley 92 disposed outwardly of the end panel 86, which in turn is aflixed to a driven shaft 94 having a drive pinion 96 thereon, as best seen in FIG. 7. The drive pinion 96 is disposed in constant meshing relationship with a gear 98 affixed to the input collar of a one-half revolution overrunning-type indexing clutch 100'.

The indexing clutch 100 may be of any one of the types well known in the art, such as one incorporating a helically-wound spring, which is adapted to over-run or slip when the input sleeve of the clutch is held fixed but upon release thereof, is operative to lock-up, effecting a driving of the output sleeve through the spring by the input sleeve, and in turn, a shaft pinned, keyed or otherwise aflixed to the output sleeve. A clutch of the foregoing type, which has been found eminently satisfactory for this purpose, is available from Precision Specialties, Inc. of New Jersey. In the instance of a onehalf revolution clutch, the input sleeve is momentarily released to enable a lock-up of the clutch and is thereafter engaged after a rotation of 180, providing a precise indexing of the driven shaft connected thereto. The actuation of the clutch is suitably achieved, such asby an electric solenoid, which is coupled to an engaging dog for normally holding the input sleeve and for momen tarily releasing the input sleeve upon energization thereof.

In the specific installation as illustrated in the drawings, the indexing clutch 100 is disposed around an indexing shaft 102, which is adapted to be rotated through 180 upon the energization of a solenoid which is mechanically connected to a dog (not shown) for selectively holding the driven member at such time that overrunning is desired and to release the driven member, effecting a lock-up of the clutch and a corresponding rotation of the indexing shaft through the prescribed one-half revolution.

The indexing shaft, as best seen in FIGS. 5 through 7, is formed with a drive gear 106 at one end thereof, which in turn is disposed in constant driving relationship with an intermediate gear 108, which is disposed in meshing relationship with driven gear 110, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, which is aifixed on a shaft 112 to the opposite end of which a main indexing wheel 114 is attached. The intermediate gear 108 is also disposed in constant meshing relationship with driven gear 116, as seen in FIG. 5, which is affixed to a shaft 118 to the opposite end of which a secondary indexing wheel 120 is affixed. A second intermediate gear 122 is disposed in constant meshing relationship with the drive gear 106 and in turn is disposed in constant meshing relationship with a driven gear 124, which is afiixed to a shaft 126 to the opposite end of which a lower secondary indexing wheel 128 is attached. The driven gear 124, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, is disposed in constant meshing relationship with an idler gear 130, which in turn is disposed in constant meshing relationship with a driven gear 132 afiixed to a shaft 134, to the opposite end of which a dispenser roller 136 is secured.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that an energization of the indexing clutch 100 effects rotation of the indexing shaft 102 through one-half revolution whereupon the drive gear 106 and associated gears in meshing relationship therewith are operative to effect an incremental rotation of the main indexing Wheel 114, the secondary indexing wheel 120, the lower secondary indexing wheel 128 and the dispensing roller 136 in the same direction.

As will be noted in FIG. 5, the periphery of the principal and secondary indexing wheels is formed with a plurality of axially extending grooves 138 disposed at intervals corresponding to the flutes provided in the continuous ribbon, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby effecting a driving engagement therebetween. The gearing of the several pinion gears is such that each time the indexing roller and indexing shaft undergoes one-half revolution, an ad vancement of the continuous ribbon through an increment corresponding to the width of one packet occurs, which subsequently is severed from the end of the ribbon and retained between the dispenser roller 136 and a resiliently-biased idler roller 140, as best seen in FIG. 5. A typical packet, indicated at 142, is shown retained between the idler roller and dispenser roller in a ready position preparatory for the next dispensing signal. The gear ratio to the dispenser roller 136 is such that its peripheral velocity is higher than that of the indexing Wheels so as to quickly eject the packet 142, thereby increasing the accuracy of the dispensing apparatus.

At the completion of each intermittent advancement of the continuous ribbon, a severance of the end portion thereof occurs at a preselected interval to form the individual packet 142. The severance of the continuous ribbon is achieved by a knife 144 having its cutting edge 146 disposed in a substantially horizontal position and which is adapted to reciprocate, as best seen in FIG. 5, from a projected position, as shown in solid lines, to a retarded position spaced therefrom. The knife, when in the forward or cutting position, effects a shearing of the continuous ribbon by means of coaction with an anvil 148 mounted stationarily adjacent to the path of travel of the continuous ribbon.

The end of the knife opposite to its cutting edge is securely afiixed to a shoulder 50 formed on a plate 152 having its upper and lower edges guidably mounted for horizontal reciprocable movement between parallel spaced guide shoes .154 atfixed to a face panel 156 of the dispenser head. The plate 152, as best seen in FIG. 5, is

provided with an elongated vertically-extending slot 158, in which a cam follower 160 is disposed in rolling bearing contact. The cam follower is rotatably supported on a stub shaft 162 which is mounted eccentrically on the end of a cutter shaft 164. The cutter shaft 164 in turn is provided with a severing clutch 166, as shown in FIG. 6, including a driven gear 168 disposed around the input hub thereof, which is disposed in constant meshing engagement with the driven gear 98 on the indexing clutch 100. The severing clutch 166 is of a type similar to that previously described in connection with the indexing clutch but is constructed so as to provide for one complete revolution of the cutter shaft 164 in response to energization thereof. Accordingly, the energization of the severing clutch effects one revolution of the severing shaft, which in turn effects rotation of the cam follower 160 in an eccentric orbit which, through the coaction of the edges of the slot 158, effects a reciprocation of the knife to and from a retracted position to a cutting position for severing the continuous ribbon, and thereafter, a retraction thereof to a clearance position spaced therefrom. 7

The operation of the severing device is coordinated in appropriate timed sequence with the indexing wheels for avancing the continuous strip. The energization of the indexing clutch occurs in response to the tripping of the micro switch 42 for sensing the appropriate dispensing position of the conveyor moving relative to the dispensing head. Energization of the indexing clutch, accordingly, effects a concurrent dispensing of the packet retained between the dispenser roller and idler roller and a concurrent advancement of the end of the continuous ribbon between the cutting edge of the knife and the anvil and in engagement between the dispenser roller and idler roller. Just prior to or at substantially the completion of the rotary movement of the indexing shaft, energization of the severing clutch is effected such as, for example, by a suitable cam or actuator 170, as best seen in FIG. 6, which is operative to trigger a microswitch 172, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6. The tripping of the micro switch is in turn operative to energize the solenoid of the severing clutch, whereupon the knife undergoes its reciprocating cycle, effecting the severing of the continuous strip into an individual packet. A suitable cam or actuator 171 is mounted on the cutter shaft 164 which is adapted to trip a micro switch 173 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6 at the completion of a cutting stroke and signals the central control circuit that the knife has returned to a retracted clearance position, enabling re-energization of the indexing clutch. The micro switch 172 is connected to a suitable relay in the central control circuit to prevent a re-energization of the clutch on the cutter shaft until the micro switch 172 has again been actuated.

In order to facilitate the guided travel of the continuous ribbon in overlying engaging relationship with the periphery of the principal and secondary indexing wheels, a series of idler rollers are provided for urging the ribbon into continued engaging relationship with the axially extending grooves provided in the periphery of the indexing wheel. As may be best seen in FIG. 5, an upper idler roller 174 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of an inverted L-shaped lever 176, which is pivotally connected at its lower end portion to a pin 178 affixed to the face panel of the dispenser head. A suitable spring 180 serves to bias the lever and idler roller thereon in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, for urging the ribbon into firm contact with the periphery of the principal indexing wheel. In a similar manner, a lower idler roller 182 is pivotally mounted at the lower end'of an L-shaped lever 184, which is pivotally connected at its upper end by means of a pin .186 to the face panel of the dispenser head. The L-shaped lever 184 and the idler roller 182 thereon are biased in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, by suitable spring means (not shown) so as to maintain the continuous web in driven interlocking relationship against the periphery of the lower secondary indexing wheel.

It will be noted that the upper and lower idler rollers 174, 182, as well as the dispensing roller 136, are preferably constructed so that the periphery thereof is of a cushioning material, such as a latex foam rubber, for example, to avoid the imposition of any excessive pressure on the continuous strip. This is particularly true of the dispenser roller which is disposed with its periphery against the flutes of the packet and at least the periphery thereof is of a material so as to conform with the configuration of the packet without effecting any appreciable deformation thereof.

The continuous ribbon is maintained in appropriate con tact against the upper secondary indexing wheel by means of a sensing roller 188 which is rotatably mounted on the lower end of a U-shaped lever which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 192 affixed inwardly of the face panel. The face panel is formed with a slot therethrough to admit the extension of a shaft 194, as best seen in FIG. 8, on which the sensing roller 188 is rotatably supported. The sensing roller 188 serves the dual function of pressing the continuous web against the upper secondary indexing wheel, as well as sensing a predetermined spaced position of the periphery of the sensing roller relative to the periphery of the indexing wheel. This spaced distance is preset in accordance with the general thickness of the continuous web being dispensed.

In the event the continuous web is displaced such that the flutes 58 and flat web sections 60 therealong are disposed out of register with the grooves 138 on the periphery of the upper secondary indexing wheel, the sensing roller 188 is displaced toward the left or in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, to allow for the increased thickness of the out-of-register web passing therebetween. This movement of the sensing roller 188 is transmitted to the U-shaped lever 190 which, as best seen in FIG. 7, effects a tripping of -a micro switch 196 which, in turn, is operative to signal the central control circuit of the existance of an out-of-register condition and a deenergization of all operative components to enable ap propriate corrective action to be taken.

In order to sense the depletion of the continuous web being dispensed, a sensing finger 191 is provided, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, which extends to a position and is adapted to be disposed in contact with the web at a point adjacent to the outlet end of the guide chute 64 disposed in feeding alignment with the main indexing wheel 114. The sensing finger 191 is mounted on a shaft 193 rotatably supported on the frame having an actuator 195 at the end thereof, as best seen in FIG. 6, for tripping a micro switch 197. The shaft and sensing finger thereon are biased in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, into firm contact against the web. Upon passage of the end of a depleted web from the outlet end of the feed chute, a movement and rotation occurs of the sensing finger 191 and shaft 193 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5, effecting a tripping of the micro switch 197. The tripping of the micro switch 197 is operative to signal the central control circuit of the dispenser head that the depletion of the continuous web has occurred, whereby a suitable audible or visual alarm is energized to signal the operator of the occurrence of this event and further through a suitable stepping switch of the type well known in the art is operative to maintain the indexing clutch deenergized in spite of the tripping of the conveyor sensing switch and to effect a sequentially-phased automatic web transfer operation in a manner hereinafter described.

The tripping of the micro switch 197 is effective, through the central control system, to cause an energization of the solenoid of a changeover clutch 198, as best seen in FIG. 6, whereby the engaging dog thereof (not shown) is operative to effect a lock-up between a driven gear 200 disposed in constant meshing realtionship with the driven gear 98 on the indexing clutch and the output sleeve of the changeover clutch. As a result, a rotation of the cross shaft 202 on which the changeover clutch is mounted occurs through one-half revolution. The cross shaft 202 projects outwardly beyond an intermediate partition 204 and a drive pulley 206 is aflixed to the end thereof. The drive pulley 206 is drivingly connected by means of a belt 208 to a driven pulley 210, which is secured to the end of a shaft 212 having its opposite end drivingly connected to an eccentric cam 214.

The eccentric cam 214 serves to pivot the guide chutes 64 from a position as shown in solid lines in FIG. to a position angularly spaced clockwise therefrom as fragmentarily shown in phantom. In the moved position of the guide chutes, the lower end portions thereof are disposed in clearance relationship relative to the principal indexing on overlies an appropriate flute on the continuous web and retains the web in pressure contact against an overlying lip 238 provided at the end of each guide chute.

A release of the continuous web by the resilientlybiased engaging pawl 230 is achieved automatically in response to the changeover operation during the movement of the guide chute from the inoperative position to an operative position. This is achieved by means of the coaction of a roller 240 rotatably mounted at the upper end of the engaging pawl, as best seen in FIG. 5, with an abutment 242 'stationarily mounted on the dispenser head.

wheel, enabling a lateral shifting of the guide chutes such that the guide chute containing a continuous strip connected to a freshly-loaded feed spool is disposed in alignment with the principal indexing wheel.

In order to provide for the pivoting and axial move ment of the guide chutes, the guide chutes are connected by means of a central web 216 to a hub 218, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, which in turn is pivotally mounted on a bolt 220 having its inner end afiixed to the end of a reciprocal plunger 222 of a double-acting electric solenoid such as a polynoid 224. Each end of the plunger 222 is formed with an enlarged flange 226 to restrict the axial reciprocatory movement of the plunger in either direction, which in turn corresponds to the stroke necessary to elfect an axial shift of the guide chutes. Alternative suitable shifting devices can be employed for this purpose in lieu of the electrically actuated polynoid, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In accordance with the foregoing arrangement and through the stepping switch as incorporated in the control circuit of the dispenser apparatus, the tripping of the micro switch 197 by the sensing finger effects in ordered sequence an energization of the changeover clutch 198 whereby the eccentric cam 214 undegoes one-half revolution. A pair of overlying ears 228 depending from the hub 218 are disposed in bearing contact with diametricallyopposed surfaces of the eccentric, where upon the guide chute is moved from a normal operative position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, to an inoperative position, as fragmentarily shown in phantom. At the completion of the pivoting movement of the guide chutes, the electric polynoid is next energized by the stepping switch, effecting a shift of the guide chutes either to the right or the left, as the case may be, and at the completion of which stroke the changeover clutch is again energized by the stepping switch, whereupon the eccentric cam lowers the guide chutes from the inoperative position to the operative position. When this occurs, the flutes along the continuous web of the new feed roll are placed in appropriate registration with the grooves along the periphery of the principal indexing wheel whereby the new web is advanced in a manner as previously described. The stepping switch serves to override the micro switch 197 until the sensing finger is depressed by the web. By virtue of the changeover feature, the point of dispensing or ejection of the packets from the dispenser head is maintained constant, whereby increased accuracy is achieved, particularly when highspeed conveyors and/or small trays are used. During the changeover, one or two of the kit receptacles may not receive an item and the audio or visual alarm, which is energized in response to the tripping of the micro switch 197, serves to alert the operator, who may manually add any deficiency occurring in such receptacle.

In order to locate and retain the new continuous web in an appropriate position along a guide chute preparatory to the changeover operation, a suitable spring loaded engaging pawl 230 is mounted on the underside and adjacent to the output end of the guide chute as best seen in FIG. 5. The engaging pawl is pivotally mounted on a pin 232 and is biased by means of a spring 234 in a clockwise direction, wherein the grooved finger 236 there- The geometry of the abutment relative to the engaging pawl is such that the grooved finger 236 therein is retracted inwardly of the periphery of the principal indexing wheel and in clearance relationship relative to the continuous web when the chute is in the operative position and as shown in solid lines in FIG. 5.

' The foregoing constructional features and operations are equally applicable for automatically dispensing a series of interconnected multiple packets, or more than one severed packet in response to a single dispensing signal, by simply adjusting the gear ratio of the several indexing wheels relative to the driven gear on the indexing shaft, or by suitable electrical controls such as a stepping switch for dispensing two or more individual severed packets in rapid succession per signal. Accordingly, two or more interconnected or severed fluted packets can be dispensed as a single unit, which may be desirable in certain kits.

The structural features and flexibility provided by the dispensing apparatus is also applicable for dispensing packets supplied in the form of a continuous ribbon, which are of alternative configuration. For example, pouch-type packets of a type typical for dispensing sugar comprising a single pouch or flute interconnected by a compressed web can also be satisfactorily dispensed either in individual or groups of multiple interconnected packets. For this purpose, the indexing wheels previously described having a controlled peripheral contour for engaging the repetitive fluted contour of the continuous ribbon are altered so as to provide a resilient smooth frictional surface for effecting a frictional engagement and advancement of the continuous web. This relationship is typically illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, which is suitable for use in connection with the dispensing of a continuous ribbon 244 comprising interconnected pouch-type packets 246, as shown in FIG. 9. When the pouch-type packet 246 is disposed at regular reoccurring intervals, the sensing of the passage of a packet and a corresponding stoppage of the indexing wheels and energization of the severing knife can suitably be achieved by means of a sensing roller or micro switch follower 248 adapted to contact the continuously moving ribbon which is moved outwardly in response to. contacting the initiation of a pouch and trips a sensing switch 249 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.

In order to provide intermittent indexing of the continuous ribbon 244 through the appropriate increment, the indexing clutch of the type employed in the structure illustrated in FIG. 6 is replaced by a suitable electromagnetic clutch 250, which, upon energization thereof, is eifective to cause rotation of the indexing shaft until the micro switch follower 248 again signals the control circuit that one complete packet has passed therebetween. The electromagnetic clutch is thereby deenergized, stopping advancement of the ribbon and the severing clutch is energized to cut off a packet in a manner as previously described.

It is also contemplated that in lieu of using a micro switch follower mechanism for sensing the travel of the continuous strip in accordance with the passage of convolusions therein, the continuous strip can be provided with suitable indicia, such as perforations or printing thereon, which can be photoelectrically sensed by a photo cell disposed in a position adjacent to the path of travel of the strip. Proximity and sound responsive signaling devices of the types known in the art can also be satisfactorily. employed for this purpose. In either event, the supply of the continuous strip or ribbon 244, its changeover upon completion of a feed spool or reel, the intermittent advancement and severing thereof, followed by a dispensing of the severed packet, is accomplished in a manner substantially identical to that previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-8 inclusive. Similarly, by using a suitable stepping switch or latch relay, multiple interconnected or severed packets can be dispensed as may be desired. It will be appreciated that the use of a suitable photoelectric sensing device also enables an accurate advancement and severing of a continuous ribbon of packets which may vary substantially in length, thereby supplying still further flexibility and versatility to the dispensing apparatus comprising the present invention.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A packet dispenser comprising a frame, means for supporting a web of indefinite length of interconnected packets, guide means on said frame, advancing means for advancing said web along said guide means through an increment corresponding substantially to the size of a packet to *be dispensed, severing means for cutting said web at a preselected distance from the end thereof for forming an individual packet, retaining means for bolding a severed packet in a ready position preparatory to dispensing, and sensing means for sensing a dispensing condition and operative to effect actuation of said retaining means for dispensing said severed packet held thereby and for energizing said advancing means to effect incremental advancement of said web and subsequent severence thereof into an individual packet to replace the dispensed said severed packet.

2. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said web is retained on a reel rotatably mounted adjacent to said guide means.

3. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, further charac terized in that a plurality of webs of indefinite length are adapted to be supported adjacent to said guide means, said dispenser further including transfer means for aligning one of said webs with said advancing means in response to the depletion of a web being dispensed.

4. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprise an indexing wheel disposed in frictional driving relationship with said web.

5. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said advancing means comprise an indexing Wheel having a peripheral contour corresponding to the contour of said web for receiving said web in driving interlocking relationship therewith.

6. The dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said reel is rotatably supported on an arm pivotally mounted on said frame for movement between a dispensing position and load-unload position angularly spaced downwardly therefrom.

7. The dispenser as defined in claim 2, further characterized by means for applying a retarding torque to said reel in opposition to the unwinding torque applied to said reel by said web during the advancement thereon.

8. The dispenser as defined in claim 2', further characterized by means for drivingly rotating said reel in an unwinding direction in response to the magnitude of slack in said web between said guide means and said reel.

9. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said increment of advancement of said web is controlled in repetitive substantially equal movements of said advancing means.

10. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said increment of advancement of said web is controlled by means disposed along the path of travel of said web for sensing the passage of a packet and for de-energizing said advancing means upon occurrence of that event.

11. The dispensing means as defined in claim 1, wherein said retaining means are operative upon actuation thereof to discharge said. severed packet at a velocity greater than the speed of advancement of said web.

12. The dispenser as defined in claim. 1, wherein said advancing means and said severing means are selectively connectible in an ordered sequence to a unitary power source through selectively actuable coupling means.

13. The dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said guide means include a plurality of chutes in each of which one of a plurality of webs are guidably disposed, one of said chutes adapted to be disposed in feeding alignment with respect to said advancing means with the remaining said chutes disposed in a stand-by position spaced therefrom, and transfer means operable in response to depletion of the webdisposed in alignment with said advancing means to elfect a swinging movement and lateral transfer of said chutes to position a chute and the web therein from said stand-by position to a position in alignment with said advancing means.

14. The dispenser as defined in claim 13, wherein each of said chutes include engaging means thereon for releasably retaining a web in a preselected position therealong when in said stand-by position.

15. The methods of dispensing individual packets which comprises the steps of providing a web of indefinite length of interconnected packets, intermittently advancing said web through an interval corresponding substantially to the width of a packet to be dispensed, intermittently severing a packet from the end portion of said web, successively retaining the severed said packet in a ready position preparatory to dispensing, and successively ejecting and dispensing said packet in said ready position in response to the occurrence of a dispensing condition.

16. The method of making kits' containing a plurality of individual items which comprises the steps of providing at least one web of indefinite length of interconnected items of one type to be dispensed in the kit, relatively moving a plurality of receivers each defining a kit with respect to said web, intermittently advancing said web through an interval corresponding substantially to the length of an item to be dispensed, intermittently severing an item from the end portion of said web, successively retaining the severed said item in a ready position preparatory to dispensing said severed item into one of said receivers disposed in a position to receive said item, successively sensing the relative position between said item in said ready position and said receiver, and successively dispensing said item in said ready position into successive receivers when disposed in a position to receive the item.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,130 11/1900 Pape 22771 X 772,503 10/1904 Dodson 22l 71 X 3,361,021 1/1968 Toth 83-649 X WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

